We’re delighted to share with you an update on the sensory garden. You may remember last year we had a big fundraising drive to raise money for a new sensory garden within the school playground. A space where children could feel grounded, calm and interact with nature. Used by the whole of the school, creating outdoor learning spaces as well as areas in which we can practice mindfulness. We feel strongly that while we are charged with ensuring a child’s academic success, we are also determined to ensure their wellbeing.

Unfortunately, Chris Colins, the ex-Blue Peter Gardener who originally came to design the space was no longer able to offer his help to Great Bowden. However, after a search we now have a new garden designer onboard, the Gardening Companion, who has designed this wonderful space. Alison Langrick, of the Gardening Companion, has a background in teaching before moving into garden design so completely understood our brief, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the design. Please see the included plan, designed to be installed in the front garden around the fruit trees.

With work due to start this spring, we are planning a community gardening day as part of phase 1 – clearing the area. More details on this after half term but please save the date Saturday 18^th March 9am-2pm. Many hands make light work so the more volunteers we can get the better. These gardening days have always been lots of fun, with plenty of tea, biscuits, and teamwork. Please pop it in your diary if you can, we’d love to have you involved for this exciting new project.

To help our budget spread further, we would be very grateful for the following items to be donated if possible. Please email the office if you are able to donate any of the following:

• Patio slabs for crazy paving
• Bricks or paving bricks (for some of edging and paths, ideally a job)
• 2-3 builders bag for collecting rubbish
• Pallets, approx. 12
• Railway sleepers or similar